May 3, 2025
Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder
Javier Baez went 2-for-4 with a home run during their 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday evening. Baez went deep in the ninth inning with a two-run shot that also scored
Jace Jung. This home run was off Los Angeles closer
Kenley Jansen. The 32-year-old has been swinging a hot bat over his last seven contests. During this stretch, Baez has posted an impressive .417/.400/.917 slash line with three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, and five runs. He also swiped one bag and held a 6:1 K:BB. Before this surge, Baez posted a .258/.300/.303 slash line with three doubles and no home runs. While Baez is enjoying an impressive run at the plate, his .288 xwOBA and 32.8 percent hard-hit rate suggest it may not be sustainable. However, he does have a favorable matchup on Saturday evening, facing Angels right-hander
Kyle Hendricks.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 21, 2025
Detroit Tigers shortstop
Javier Baez is making his first-ever start in center field and is batting seventh for Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander
Randy Vasquez at Comerica Park. Baez gives the Tigers an extra option in the outfield with
Parker Meadows (shoulder) on the injured list, and outfielder
Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) is also out of Monday's lineup. However, there's no guarantee that the Puerto Rican product will gain outfield eligibility for fantasy managers. Given how poorly he's played since signing with the Tigers in 2022, Baez's .268/.305/.321 slash line through his first 17 games in 2025 is actually an improvement. But the 32-year-old veteran still has only a .627 OPS, no home runs, three doubles, four RBI and 14 strikeouts in 59 plate appearances as a utility man for Detroit in 2025. The two-time All-Star is no longer an everyday player.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 25, 2025
With injuries to Detroit Tigers outfielders
Austin Meadows (arm),
Matt Vierling (shoulder) and
Wenceel Perez (back), the team's plans at center field remain a question mark heading into Opening Day on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Detroit recently signed veteran
Manuel Margot, but manager A.J. Hinch indicated the tam plans to use him mostly in a corner-outfield spot.
Riley Greene,
Ryan Kreidler and
Javier Baez are all options to see time in center field to begin the season. Baez started a spring training game in center on Saturday, but he has appeared in the outfield in the majors just four times in his 11-year career. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican infielder has tanked offensively since joining the Tigers in 2022, culminating in a poor .184/.221/.294 slash line with a .516 OPS, six homers, 37 RBI and eight steals in 80 games last year. Fantasy managers can continue to avoid Baez in mixed leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adrian Garro
March 22, 2025
Detroit Tigers shortstop
Javier Baez is penciled in as the center fielder for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves. The Tigers will need a center fielder in the absence of
Parker Meadows, who is expected to be out at least until May, but Baez does not seem like the answer with less than five innings of outfield experience on his MLB resume.
Wenceel Perez was expected to fill in for the injured Meadows, but Perez is not in the lineup on Saturday.
Trey Sweeney is expected to be the Tigers' shortstop this season, with Baez potentially filling in at third base and shortstop when needed, but playing some outfield hints at an all-around utility role. Currently only eligible at SS on Yahoo, the potential addition of 3B and even OF could add some fantasy appeal, however, the 32-year-old bottomed out with a .224 wOBA and 43 wRC+ last season, so the appeal would be limited to deep AL-only leagues.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Tigers
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